Southlandis an Americancrime dramatelevision series[1]created by writerAnn Bidermanand produced by John Wells Productions in association withWarner Bros. Television.The series originally aired onNBCfor one season from April 9 to May 21, 2009, and then onTNTfor an additional four seasons from March 2, 2010, to April 17, 2013.
| Southland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Created by | Ann Biderman |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer |
|
| Opening theme | "Canção do Mar" byDulce Pontes(instrumental version) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No.of seasons | 5 |
| No.of episodes | 43(list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Production locations | Los Angeles,California |
| Cinematography | J. Michael Muro |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | April 9– May 21, 2009 |
| Network | TNT |
| Release | March 2, 2010– April 17, 2013 |
In May 2009, NBC announced thatSouthlandhad been renewed for a second season with an initial 13-episode order to begin airing on September 25, 2009.[2]In August 2009, shortly before its scheduled premiere, NBC moved the opening of its second season to October 23, 2009, citing the need to promote the show more fully.[3]In October 2009, two weeks before the scheduled premiere of the second season, NBC announced that the series had been canceled after one season.[4]
In November 2009, TNT announced it had purchased the rights to the original seven episodes ofSouthland,as well as six completed episodes from its second season.Southlandbegan airing its second season on TNT on March 2, 2010.[5]In April 2010, TNT announced it had picked upSouthlandfor a ten-episode third season to begin airing on January 4, 2011.[6]TNT's revival of the show included a substantial budget cut and corresponding cast reduction.[7]Southlandwas renewed for a ten-episode fourth season in March 2011,[8]which premiered on January 17, 2012. The series was renewed for a ten-episode fifth season which began airing February 13, 2013.[9]In May 2013, TNT announced thatSouthlandhad been canceled after five seasons.[10]
Premise
editSouthlandtakes a "raw and authentic look" atLos Angelesand the lives of theLAPDofficers who police it. The show's first season centers on the experiences and interactions of LAPD patrol officers and detectives, and is more a character-driven drama than apolice procedural.[11]
Among the characters are rookie Officer Ben Sherman and his training officer,John Cooperwho, unknown to most of his colleagues, is gay; Detective Lydia Adams, who must balance work with the responsibility of living with her mother; Officer Chickie Brown, who aspires to be the first woman on the LAPD's eliteSWAT team;and Detective Sammy Bryant, whose home life interferes with his working life.
After its first season on NBC,Southlandmoved to TNT. The second season placed less emphasis on the ensemble cast, instead focusing more on the Adams, Sherman, Cooper and Bryant characters and their partners. The weekly stories also centered more on how crimes came together, with fewer serialized story lines.[12][13]
Cast and characters
editMain cast
edit| Actor | Character | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Cudlitz | John Cooper | Police Officer III+1 (Seasons 1–5) |
Hollywood Division, Officer Sherman's formerFTO(Seasons 1–3), Officer Tang's former partner (Season 4), Officer Steele's FTO (Season 5). Senior Lead Officer |
| Ben McKenzie | Ben Sherman | Police Officer I (Seasons 1–3) Police Officer II (Seasons 4–5) |
Hollywood Division, Officer Cooper's former boot; (fictional) Alvarado Division, Officer Bryant's partner |
| Regina King | Lydia Adams | Detective II (Seasons 1–5) |
West Bureau Detectives |
| Shawn Hatosy | Sammy Bryant | Detective I (Season 1) Detective II (Seasons 2–3) Police Officer III (Seasons 4–5) |
Southeast Division Detectives, Detective Moretta's former partner; Alvarado Division, Officer Sherman's partner |
| C. Thomas Howell | Bill "Dewey" Dudek | Police Officer III (Recurring seasons 1–4, main season 5) |
Hollywood Division, Officer Brown's former partner[14] |
| Kevin Alejandro | Nate Moretta | Detective II (Seasons 1–3) |
Southeast Division Detectives, Detective Bryant's former partner, killed in a gang assault in Season 3. |
| Michael McGrady | Daniel "Sal" Salinger | Detective III (Seasons 1–3) |
Southeast Division Detectives, Supervisor |
| Tom Everett Scott | Russell Clarke | Detective II (Season 1, recurring seasons 2–3, 5) |
West Bureau Detectives, Detective Adams' former partner |
| Arija Bareikis | Chickie Brown | Police Officer III (Seasons 1–3) |
Hollywood Division, Officer Dudek's former partner; transferred to Metro Division in Season 4 |
Recurring cast
edit| Actor | Character | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denise Crosby | Susan Salinger | Captain I (Seasons 1–2) |
Detective Salinger's wife |
| Patrick Fischler | Kenny "No-Gun" | Detective I (Seasons 1–2) |
Gangs & Narcotics Division |
| Lex Medlin | Andy Williams | Detective I (Seasons 1–2) |
Gangs & Narcotics Division |
| L. Scott Caldwell | Enid Adams | — (Seasons 1–5) |
Detective Adams' mother |
| Emily Bergl | Tammi Bryant | — (Seasons 1–5) |
Detective Bryant's ex-wife |
| Yara Martinez | Mariella Moretta | — (Seasons 1–3) |
Detective Moretta's wife |
| Hedy Burress | Laurie Cooper | — (Seasons 1–3, 5) |
Officer Cooper's ex-wife |
| Roxana Brusso | Alicia Fernandez | Detective III (Seasons 1–5) |
West Bureau Detectives, Detective Adams' supervisor |
| Amaury Nolasco | Rene Cordero | Detective I (Season 2) |
West Bureau Detectives, Detective Adams' interim partner |
| Laz Alonso | Gil Puente | Detective II (Seasons 2–3) |
Gang Task Force Detective, with Detectives Bryant & Moretta |
| Mario Cortez | Officer Munoz | Police Officer III (Seasons 2–5) |
Division within West Bureau |
| Jenny Gago | Josie Ochoa | Detective II (Season 3) |
West Bureau Detectives, Detective Adams' former partner |
| Bokeem Woodbine | Officer Jones | Police Officer III (Seasons 3–4) |
Alvarado Division |
| Jamie McShane | Terry Hill | Sergeant I (Seasons 3–5) |
Hollywood Division, Supervisor |
| Jack Forbes | Dell Cooper | — (Seasons 3, 5) |
Officer Cooper's father |
| Lucy Liu | Jessica Tang | Police Officer III Sergeant I (Season 4) |
Hollywood Division, Officer Cooper's former partner; West Los Angeles Division, Supervisor in Season 4 (episode 10) |
| Dorian Missick | Ruben Robinson | Detective I (Seasons 4–5) |
West Bureau Detectives, Detective Adams' current partner |
| Lou Diamond Phillips | Danny Ferguson | Police Officer III (Season 4) |
Alvarado Division |
| Carl Lumbly | Joel Rucker | Captain I (Season 4) |
Alvarado Division Commanding Officer |
| Chad Michael Murray | Dave Mendoza | Police Officer II (Season 5) |
Alvarado Division |
| Lesley Fera | Sgt. Waters | Sergeant I (Season 5) |
Alvarado Division Supervisor |
| Derek Ray | Gary Steele | Police Officer I (Season 5) |
Hollywood Division. Officer Cooper's "boot" |
| Anthony Ruivivar | Hank Lucero | Police Officer III (Season 5) |
Hollywood Division, Officer Cooper's partner; killed on duty |
Production
editThe series was created byEmmy Award-winning writerAnn Biderman,who began her television writing career on the first season of police dramaNYPD Blue.The series' executive producers are Biderman,Christopher Chulack,andJohn Wells.Wells and Chulack, both also Emmy Award winners, had previously worked together on critically acclaimed medical dramaERand emergency services dramaThird Watch.Many other crew members had previously worked with Wells and Chulack on these series. Wells and Biderman also write for the series and Chulack is a regular director. Biderman left her executive producer position after the second season but continued to write for the series' third season.
Ex-police officerAngela Amato Velezserved as a consulting producer and writer for the first season; she had previously worked for the executive producers onThird Watch.Dee Johnsonalso served as a consulting producer and writer for the first season; she had previously worked with Wells and Chulack onER.Emmy Award-winning writing teamMitchell Burgess&Robin Greenwere hired as executive consultants and writers for the second and third seasons; they had previously worked together as executive producers onThe Sopranos.Diana Son served as a consulting producer and writer for the second season; she had previously worked on the crime dramaLaw & Order: Criminal Intent.
David Grazianobecame a co-executive producer for the second season. Andrew Stearn was a producer for the first two seasons and was promoted to co-executive producer for the third season; he had previously worked onThird Watch.Jonathan Lisco was hired as a co-executive producer for the third season; he is a former lawyer and created the New Orleans police dramaK-Ville.Jason Horwitch,creator of AMC'sRubicon,joined the show as consulting producer for the fourth season.
ERandThird WatchveteranNelson McCormickis also a regular director forSouthland.Steadicam expertJ. Michael Muroserves as a regular cinematographer and occasional director for the series.Dana Gonzalesis the other regular director of photography.
The producers used both actual and former gang members to play the role of gang bangers inSouthland.[15]
Episodes
editReception
editSouthlandreceived positive reviews from critics. AtMetacritic,which assigns aweighted meanrating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the first season received anaveragescore of 69, based on 22 reviews[16]and the second season received an average score of 77, based on 12 reviews[17]both indicating "generally favorable reviews". Upon returning for its third, fourth and fifth seasons, the series received wide critical acclaim, receiving an average score of 80, based on 9 reviews for the third season,[18]an average score of 87, based on 7 reviews for the fourth season,[19]and an average score of 86, based on 9 reviews, all indicating "universal acclaim".[20]
Alessandra Stanley ofThe New York TimescomparedSouthlandfavorably to series likeThe Shield,Rescue MeandThe Wirein citing the series debut as "one of the most gripping opening episodes of any network crime series". Noting the show's "bold, contemporary tone", Stanley concluded that "Southlandis commendably stinting and cold, a series that doesn't aim to please, and is all the more pleasurable for it. "[21]In a second review a year later, Mike Hale was less effusive in his praise. While commending the series for fine performances from its cast and its combination of straightforward immediate plots and long-range storytelling, Hale criticized the "heavyhandedness" he saw in some of the writing, noting especially the "sententious lectures about the nature of police work" delivered to Sherman by Cooper in the pilot episode. He finds the show "worthy" but in need of work to qualify as a classic.[22]
Dorothy Rabinowitz ofThe Wall Street Journalsays "Prattle is, in any case, a minor note compared with the crackling pace of the first script, its evocative mood of menace at every turn, each police car racing to destinations that will reveal who knows what tragedy or unspeakable sight."[23]Matt Zoller Seitz ofVultureapplauded the series' realism, and stated "It's the most engrossing cop series since season one of NBC'sHomicide,and maybe the most raggedy and real. "[24]
Southlandreceived three nominations for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination,winning the award twice in 2011 and 2012, and was nominated in 2013.[25]In 2012, the series was awarded with aPeabody Award.[26]
Home media
editShortly before its TNT premiere,Warner Home Videoreleased the first season onDVDin an uncensored version, with the profanities intact.[27]
In May 2011, Warner Home Video also released the second season in a similarly uncensored version. This title is currently only available through the studio's manufacture-on-demand (MOD) program.[28]
On February 5, 2013, a box set titledSouthland: The Complete Second, Third, and Fourth Seasonswas released on DVD; it included over an hour of bonus features.[29]
On August 13, 2013, Warner Home Video released the show's final season on DVD.[30]
| DVD name | Region 1 release date | Region 2 release date | Region 4 release date | No. of episodes | Discs | Bonus features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | January 26, 2010[27] | September 26, 2011[31] | April 17, 2013[32] | 7 | 2 | "Southland: Redefining the Cop Drama" featurette |
| Season 2 | May 24, 2011[28] | September 26, 2011[31] | April 17, 2013[32] | 6 | 2 | "A Crime Tour: Southland's Crime Map" featurette; "Backing the Badge: Selected Scene Commentary" featurette; unaired scenes |
| Season 3 | February 5, 2013[29] | August 12, 2013[33] | August 14, 2013[34] | 10 | 3 | Unaired scenes |
| Season 4 | February 5, 2013[29] | August 12, 2013[33] | August 14, 2013[35] | 10 | 3 | Unaired scenes |
| Season 5 | August 13, 2013[30] | N/A | June 25, 2014[36] | 10 | 2 | "Shooting in Progress" featurette; unaired scenes |
References
edit- ^Wyatt, Edward (April 9, 2009)."NBC's Latest Drama Has a (Temporary) Home".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 8,2010.
- ^Littleton, Cynthia; Schenider, Michael (May 1, 2009)."NBC picks up 'Southland' drama".Variety.RetrievedMay 2,2009.
- ^Bryant, Adam (August 27, 2009)."NBC PushesSouthland's Premiere to October ".TV Guide.Archived fromthe originalon August 31, 2009.RetrievedAugust 27,2009.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (October 8, 2009)."NBC cancels 'Southland' before its premiere".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJanuary 16,2010.
- ^Schneider, Michael (November 2, 2009)."TNT picks up 'Southland'".Variety.RetrievedMay 31,2014.
- ^Rice, Lynette (April 26, 2010)."TNT orders third season of 'Southland'".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMarch 22,2012.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (May 18, 2010)."'Southland' Facing Budget & Cast Trims ".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 2,2011.
- ^Seidman, Robert (March 22, 2011)."Southland Renewed for Fourth Season by TNT".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 2,2011.
- ^Bibel, Sara (May 4, 2012)."'Southland' Renewed by TNT For 10 Episode Fifth Season ".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon May 7, 2012.RetrievedMay 4,2012.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (May 10, 2013)."TNT's 'Southland' Cancelled After Five Seasons".Deadline.RetrievedJune 6,2013.
- ^Sullivan, Brian Ford (April 1, 2009)."The Futon's First Look:" Southland "(NBC)".The Futon Critic.RetrievedJanuary 24,2010.
- ^Sullivan, Brian Ford (August 6, 2009)."NBC at TCA: Leno, Silverman Draw Focus".The Futon Critic.RetrievedJanuary 24,2010.
- ^Borzillo-Vrenna, Carrie; Masters, Megan (August 5, 2009)."NBC at TCA: Chuck Update, Southland Retools & More".E! Online.RetrievedMay 31,2014.
- ^Ausiello, Michael (November 8, 2012)."Exclusive:SouthlandElevates C. Thomas Howell to Series Regular in Season 5 ".TVLine.RetrievedApril 20,2013.
- ^"'Southland' brings gritty realism to TV viewers ".Los Angeles Times.March 4, 2012.RetrievedMay 31,2014.
- ^"Southland - Season 1 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^"Southland - Season 2 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^"Southland - Season 3 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^"Southland - Season 4 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^"Southland - Season 5 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedFebruary 15,2013.
- ^Stanley, Alessandra (April 7, 2009)."From the Pampered Life to Police Work on the Mean Streets".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^Hale, Mike (March 1, 2010)."Patrolling for Felons and Kudos on Sun-Blinded Streets".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^Rabinowitz, Dorothy (April 3, 2009)."Truth and Consequences".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedFebruary 1,2013.
- ^Seitz, Matt Zoller (January 17, 2012)."TV Review: The Engrossing, SurprisingSouthland Returns".Vulture.RetrievedMay 31,2014.
- ^"Southland".Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.RetrievedMay 31,2014.
- ^"Southland".The Peabody Awards.RetrievedMay 31,2014.
- ^abLambert, David (November 11, 2009)."Southland - Official Studio Press Release forThe Complete 1st Season: Uncensored".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon October 18, 2012.RetrievedJune 14,2013.
- ^abLambert, David (April 24, 2011)."Southland -'The Complete 2nd Season (Uncensored)'DVDs are Coming to the Warner Archive ".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2012.RetrievedJune 14,2013.
- ^abcRawden, Jessica (October 25, 2012)."Southland: The Complete Second, Third And Fourth Seasons Are Coming To DVD In February".CinemaBlend.RetrievedApril 20,2013.
- ^abLambert, David (May 15, 2013)."Southland - Warner Announces DVD In-Store Date for'The Complete 5th and Final Season'".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon June 7, 2013.RetrievedMay 16,2013.
- ^ab"Southland Season 1-2 (DVD)".Amazon.co.uk.September 26, 2011.RetrievedJune 14,2013.
- ^ab"Southland: Season 1 & 2".EzyDVD.au.RetrievedMay 26,2013.
- ^ab"Southland - Season 3-4 (DVD)".Amazon.co.uk.RetrievedJune 14,2013.
- ^"Southland: Season 3".EzyDVD.au.RetrievedMay 26,2013.
- ^"Southland: Season 4".EzyDVD.au.RetrievedMay 26,2013.
- ^"Southland: Season 5 (DVD)".EzyDVD.au.RetrievedApril 2,2014.